Mumbai, April 20: Amid ongoing political discussions on gender representation, Congress Working Committee member and MP Praniti Shinde accepted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s challenge for an open debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill. Shinde emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also participate in this discussion.
During a press conference alongside Congress MP Shobha Bachhav, Shinde made serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She claimed the party is using the reservation issue as a cover for a hidden agenda aimed at advancing the process of redistricting. According to her, this could negatively impact the country’s federal structure.
Shinde challenged the Chief Minister to set a time and place for a public debate on the issue, allowing all parties to express their views openly. She further alleged that the special session called by the government was not intended for women’s reservation but rather to push decisions related to redistricting.
Both Shinde and Bachhav raised concerns about the government’s intentions, suggesting that the proposed plans could create an imbalance between northern and southern states. They demanded the immediate implementation of 33% women’s reservation across all 543 Lok Sabha seats without linking it to any conditions like a census or redistricting.
Shinde also accused the government of deliberately complicating the Women’s Reservation Bill introduced in 2023 to delay its implementation. She noted that while the government called a special session in the name of women’s reservation, the topic was initially not included in the agenda.
She further stated that the government’s real aim was to gain political advantage through redistricting. However, due to the efforts of Congress and other opposition parties, this plan has not succeeded, forcing the government to retract its steps.
Shinde referenced the Chief Minister’s comments on “female infanticide” and raised serious questions about the BJP’s commitment to women’s safety. She cited incidents in Manipur, Hathras, Unnao, and Badlapur, expressing concern over the state of women’s safety. According to her, the BJP is under scrutiny not only politically but also regarding women’s respect and security.
She emphasized the need for the government to be more sensitive to incidents of violence against women, alleging that many cases of injustice against women have gone unaddressed.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Shobha Bachhav highlighted the party’s historical contributions. She credited former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for providing 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and noted that Sonia Gandhi’s efforts have increased this to 50% in several states.
Bachhav pointed out that nearly 1.5 million women are currently working in local bodies, a change made possible by Congress policies. She stated that if the proposed Women’s Reservation Law of 2023 had been implemented for the 2024 elections, there would be approximately 180 women MPs in the Lok Sabha. However, she argued that the government has complicated the process by attaching conditions to this law.
Shinde also questioned the organizational structure of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, noting that no woman has ever served as the national president of the BJP, raising doubts about women’s participation. She criticized the BJP’s proposed signature campaign, calling it mere showmanship lacking credibility.
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